Get The Magazine
The best in culture from a cultural icon. Subscribe now for more from the authority on music, entertainment, politics and pop culture.
The Canadian-born Kiwi shares the second single from her upcoming album ‘Neon Cowgirl’, featuring US country singer Ashley McBryde
Alex King Stone
Tami Neilson has released the second single from her upcoming album Neon Cowgirl.
“Borrow My Boots” is an up-tempo country track about women supporting each other.
It was co-written with Nashville songwriters Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild, who also appear on the song alongside rising guitarist Grace Bowers. The music video (watch below) includes footage of the group performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Neilson says the idea came after meeting McBryde at a Patsy Cline tribute show at the Ryman. The next morning, she received a direct message: “She’d been on the lineup and after seeing me perform, she immediately explored my catalogue and wrote to encourage me, saying she was a fan.”
A few weeks later, McBryde was hyping herself up for the CMAs using Neilson’s “Careless Woman,” and later asked permission to create a T-shirt featuring Neilson’s photo and the lyric: “I Wanna Be Her When I Grow Up.” “That’s how you say, ‘Hey Sister, you can borrow my boots,’” Neilson says. “So when I had a song idea about women supporting and empowering each other, she was the first person who came to mind.”
They arranged a virtual writing session, brought in Fairchild, and “Borrow My Boots” was created—recorded just a week later.
Grace Bowers also joined the track. She first performed with Neilson at just 15. “She’s quickly rising in the industry… I wasn’t sure if she’d have time. Not only did she deliver a standout solo, she even changed her flights during a tour to join us for my debut at the Grand Ole Opry,” Neilson adds.
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
“Borrow My Boots” follows the previous single “You’re Gonna Fall”, featuring Oklahoma retro artist JD McPherson. Both tracks will be included on Neon Cowgirl, which is set for release on July 11th via Outside Music.
Neilson will join Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Festival tour alongside Bob Dylan, return to the Grand Ole Opry in June, and perform shows in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Last year, she released Neilson Sings Nelson, a tribute album to Willie Nelson recorded at his Pedernales Studio in Texas.
It followed her acclaimed 2022 record Kingmaker, which included the duet “Beyond the Stars”, winner of the 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song Award and nominee for Best Single at last year’s Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards.
Tami Neilson’s “Borrow My Boots” is out now via Outside Music.
In This Article: Tami Neilson
Follow Us
Alerts & Newsletters